Trial set in shooting of Silver Springs pastor

A trial has been set for July in the attempted murder of a Silver Springs preacher during an alleged drug deal.

Juan Martinez, 23, pleaded not guilty Tuesday before Judge Bill Maddox to one count of attempted murder with a deadly weapon and one count of principal to robbery with a deadly weapon.

During the preliminary hearing, victim Jonathan Stewart testified he'd been in Nevada for one day to take over as pastor for a Silver Springs church when he asked a woman at the North Carson Street Albertson's on Nov. 14 if she knew where he could get some methamphetamine.

The female took Stewart to a College Parkway apartment complex, where he allegedly met up with Martinez and co-defendant Fidel Fuentes. During the alleged drug deal, a fight broke out after Fuentes allegedly tried to steal Stewart's money. Martinez is accused of shooting Stewart in the head. The bullet grazed Stewart, and Fuentes and Martinez allegedly fled.

Martinez pleaded guilty April 12 to an unrelated charge of conspiracy to violate the controlled substance act for bringing alcohol and drugs into the Stewart Conservation Camp. He will be sentenced on that charge May 30.

Martinez's four-day trial begins July 24.

Other cases before Maddox on Tuesday:

• Lora Bell, 42, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit forgery. She will be sentenced June 13.

• Patricia Conklin, 48, charged with embezzlement, had her probation extended for a year after violating conditions. She was also ordered to stay out of gaming establishments.

• Brian Farmer, 33, was sentenced to five years probation with a suspended sentence of 12 to 48 months in prison on a charge of embezzlement. According to court records, Farmer stole more than $57,000 from Sparky's where he was a manager. He was ordered Tuesday to pay $38,225.92 in restitution.

• Kimberly Foxon, 24, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance. She will be sentenced June 13.

• Mitchel Charles Goodman, 42, pleaded guilty to grand larceny of a motor vehicle and robbery. He will be sentenced May 30.

• Barbara Joyce Mucha, 63, who has an original charge of possession of a controlled substance, was released on her own recognizance and ordered to go into a drug rehabilitation program. She was released for a probation violation on her own recognizance on March 21 and rearrested April 13 after violating probation by coming up positive for methamphetamine during a drug test.

"It's a hard drug to dump," she said.

Mucha thanked Maddox for allowing her to be released from custody before her 64th birthday Saturday.

"I don't care if you thank me or not. I don't care if you like me or not. I want you to quit using methamphetamine," he said.

• Armando Salas-Arellano, 25, pleaded guilty to two counts of third-offense drunken driving. He faces 24 to 144 months in prison when sentenced May 30. Salas-Arellano has two prior drunken driving convictions - October 2003 in Reno and December 2003 in Fernley.

• Donald John Kelly, 43, was given five years probation and a suspended sentences of 36 to 96 months in prison on a charge of possession of a controlled substance, and possession of a controlled substance for sales. He was given credit for 90 days in custody.

• Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.